Pressure cooker



Feb- 5, 1945. E. H. WITTENBERG 2,368,795

PRESSURE COOKER Filed Jan. 23, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 2s Fc 52 #76.5 962A 0MM -r-rogNsYr l hama Feb. e, 194s UNITED STATES PATENT loEElcE t .ass-@220m maarssenuramrss '.Clairc,Wis.,acorporationofWilconsin *tzzft l This invention relates w new and useful improvements in pressure cookers, and more particularly to such a 4cooker construction of sheetmetal.

Heretofore it has been fore or less common practice to construct pressure cookers of cast aluminum, although some cookers have been made of sheet metal. Aluminum, in any form, is now practically unobtainable foi commercial or domestic use, because of the defense program. To overcome the shortage of aluminum for devices of this general type, applicant has conceived the idea of constructing pressure cookers of a suitable sheet metal which may readily be formed into variousshapes by suitable equipment, after which the cooker body and its cover is processed or treated with a suitable preservative to prevent rust and disintegration ofthe metal under normal operating conditions.

An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a sheet metal pressure cooker which is so designed and constructed that it has the appearance of a cast metal cooker, and in which the cooker body andcover are provided with coacting lugs adapted for interlocking engagement to secure the cover to the cooker body in seal tight relation. Y

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the class described, comprising a container having its upper marginal edge formed with an outwardly turned flange to provide an annular seat, and a cover comprising a top wall and a side wall, the latter having its lower edge portion bent outwardly and downwardly -and provided with inwardly directed circumferentially spaced lugs adapted to interlock with co-actins lugs provided on the cooker body, thereby to secure the cover to the cooker body.

A further object is to provide a pressure cooker comprising a container having its upper marginal edge wall bent outwardly and downwardly to provide an annular conical seat, and said edge portion extending outwardly beyond said seat and being bent downwardly to provide a cylindrical wall portion having its lower edge pro- 'vided with a. plurality of outwardly directed spaced lugs, and an annular trim member being secured to the container body below said lugs and having its periphery disposed beyond the periphery of the lugs, thereby to provide a protection for the lugs and also a supporting means for suitable carrying or operating handles provided on the cooker body.

A further object is to provide a cover for a pressure cooker, which yis constructed of sheet 55 metal and has itslower wall portion bent outwardly andA downwardlyv to'.conceal the radially disposed lugs provided on the cooker body, and an annular` inwardly facing channelmember being secured to the cover and supporting a flexible .sealing element orv gasketwhose inner-marginal edge portion is unsupported by said channel member and is adapted to engage the annular seat provided on the cooker body, whereby the sealing element or gasket mayrlnex when the cover is secured to the cooker body, thereby to provide a leak-tight joint between the cover and rthe cooker body.

Other objects of the inventionreside in the novel construction of the cover which comprises an inner-lining member which preferably is permanently secured within the cover and has its lower marginal edge portion formed to provide an annular inwardly facing channel adapted to receive a ilat gasket arranged to engage the seat provided on the cooker body, when the cover is placed thereon, the innerupper portion of the gasket being exposed to the pressure within the cooker body whereby such pressure will flrmly hold the gasket in sealing engagement with its seat; in the dual wall construction ofthe cover; in the novel construction of the upper marginal wall portion of the container body which is formed with an outwardly turned Vannular ange having a seat for vthe cover and also means adapted for interlocking engagement with the cover; and in the provision of a reinforcing ring at the upper of the cooker body below the cover engaging lugs, which ring greatly strengthens the upper portion of the cooker body and provides a pro'- tection for said lugs and, in addition, provided on the outwardly turned iiange of the cooker, greatly enhances the appearance of the cooker.

Qther objects of the invention will appear frd'm the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to `be understood that the invention is not conned to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings: e

Figure 1 is an elevational view partially in section, showing my improved pressure cooker with the cover secured thereto;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the linek 2--2 or Figure 5 vwitheach in place,`

showing the supporting means for` the sealing element or gasket, and also the means for locking the cover in sealing engagement with the cooker body:

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view showing only the construction of the marginal edge portion of the cover;

Figure 4 is a bottom or inside view ofthe cover only; 'f

Figure 5is a. plan view of the cooker body only:

Y Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view onA theline 9-6ofFigure4;

length of the lugs. I2. of the cooker body. By,

thus proportioning the'lugs and the spaces therey between, the lugs on the cover may readily pass between the lugs on the cooker body in the op- Figure 'I is an enlarged detail sectional view similar to Figure 2, but showing another method of securing the handles to the cookerv body; and

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view onthe line 9--8 of Figure 1.

The novel pressure cooker herein disclosed, is

shown comprising a body or container, generally designated bythe numeral 2, having a cover 3 removably supported thereon. The cooker body is shown comprising a bottom wal1'4 and a cylindrical side wall 5, :lointed to the bottom. wall 4 by an annular bead-like wall portion 9, which 'provides thebottom support for the cooker body, Aas will readily be understood by reference to Figure 1.'

A feature of the present invention resides' in the unique formation of the upper portion of Vthe cooker body. As clearly illustrated in the drawings'particularly Figures l and 2, the container body is constructed of sheet metal which is formed Ato provide the body of the cooker and has its upper marginal edge portion bent outwardly to provide an annular seat 1, and a horiportion 9 having its lower marginal edge portion II formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial lugs I2, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 5. The lugs I2 are disposed in a hori- Y.zontal planelocated below the elevation of the seat 1, as best shown in Figure 2, `whereby the upper marginal edge portion of the cooker body is strengthened as will be understood. The seat I is preferablyconical in shape, as shown in Figa vertical wall portion I9, the latter being suit? "eration of placing the cover on the cooker, or

removing it therefrom.

The leading ends 2B of the lugs I2 of the cooker body are; preferably slightly upwardly inclined, as

4 Y shown at A in Figure 1. whereby the leading ends 29 of the cover lugs 24'may yreadily pass under the cooker body lugs I2, when fitting the cover onto the cooker body. If desired, the leading ends 23 of the cover lugs 24 may be slightly downwardly inclined, but from actual experiencel I have found thisto be unnecessary.

Means is provided for limiting relative rotation of the cover on the cooker body, and, as best shown in Figure 1, may reside in the provision of a suitable abutment 2l, preferablyy formed on one end of one of the cooker body lugs I2l as shown inFigure, 1. The abutment 21 is so located that when the cover is placed upon the v cooker body with its lugs 24 registering withthe i spaces between the cooker body lugs I2, it will be engagedby one of the lugs on the cover, when the cover is relatively rotated on the cooker bocLv Vzontaily disposed wall or flange I. The ilange 9 z is 'bent downwardly to provide a cylindrical wa1lto move its lugs 24 into interlocking engagement with lthe lugs I2 of the cooker body, as plainly shownin Figure 1.

To reinforce the cover 2, a suitable inner member 29 is fitted. to thev inside ofthe cover and suitably secured thereto, as shown in Figure 3.

'l'he inner member is provided at its lower edge with an inwardly facing channel member 29 adapted to receive a suitable sealing element or gasket 3|. The width of the gasket 3I is relatively greater than vthe depth of the channel memberl 29, whereby the inner edge portion 22 of the gasket may engage the seat 'I of the cooker a body to provide aleak-tight connection between the cover and cooker body.

To permit free upward exins'of the' inner edge 32 of the gasket, the wall portion 33 of the inner cover member 29, is upwardly inclined as ably tted and secured to the side wall 2 of the cooker body, as will be understood by reference t0 Figure 2.

The periphery of the trim ring I3 extends be-. yond the periphery of the lugs I2, as shown in Figures 2 and 7, whereby the trim ring provides a protection for the lugs, in the event the cooker body engages an obstruction or is dropped on its side. The trim ring further provides -a supporting means for suitable carrying handles II which preferably-are, shaped as shown 'in Figure 1 and are securedto the ring by suitable screws I8.

The cover for the cooker-body is showncomprising a topfwall I9 and a side wall 2| whose lower edge isYY bent outwardly and downwardlyto provide a horizontal wall portion 22 and a cylindrical wall portion 23, as best shown in Figure 3. The lower marginal edge of the cylindrical wall portion 23 is` provided withinwardly directed shown in Figures 2 and 3, whereby the gasket is -free tov ex, as clearly illustrated in=Figure 2. It

will also be noted by reference to Figures 2 and 7 that the horizontal wall? portion 9 of ythe upper portion of the' cooker'body is depressed or down- ,wardly oii'set to provide adequate clearance for 'the' lower wall 3.4 of the channel member 29.

Raised portions 39 are preferably provided in the wall' of the inner member'28 adapted to conceal the threadedv openings 39 provided in the top wall I9 of the cover, as shown in Figure 3.y A suit- A able nut'31 may be secured .tozthe'wall I9 of the cover to provideadequai'e thickness in the metal for receiving the threaded terminals of screws 39 which secure handles 39 to the cover illustrated in Figure l.

By reference to Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that the cylindrical wall portion 23 of the cover is also provided with threaded apertures 4I'for receiving screws 42A which secure the outer portions of the handles to the cover.

The top wall I9 of the cover is shown provided with threaded apertures 42. 44 and 4l adapted to as clearly resistir member 23 is provided with oilset portions l1 at the apertures 4I, `M and It, whereby the iittingsseeuredtothecovermaybein connection with the interior oi' the pressure cooker when the cover is secured thereto.

Inlllgures'land'thereisshownaslightly.

different construction for securing the cooker body handle thereto. Inthe form here shown,

suitable brackets 43 are iltted into the downwardly facing annular recess provided by the trim ring I3, and these brackets are provided with threaded apertures Il adapted to receive the threaded terminals of screws il which secure handles l2 to the cooker body.

The handles shown in Figures 7 and 8, maybe of wood or any other suitable material applicable for the purpose. 'I'hey are secured to the lower horizontal wall portion of the brackets 43 as will be understood by reference to Figures 'I and 8. By referring to Figure 7, it will be noted that the bottom surface of the horizontal walls of the brackets Il are disposed in the plane of the lower edge oi the trim ring, which is desirable when securing iiat handles to the brackets 4I, as will be understood by reference to Figure 7.

In the form shown in Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that the handles I'I are provided with whereuponthecoveriugsll wiilbein withthespacesbetwcenthecookerbodylugs I2. Whenthecoverlugsaresopositionemtheewer may readily beliited oil' the cooker body, al will be readily understood.

'Ihe cooker herein described in addition to providing the utmost in strength and durability', is extremely light in weight because of its sheet metal construction. No cast aluminum is utilised in the Vmanufacture thereof, which is oi' utmost importance in times like thesewhenaluminum is practically unobtainable.

It will -be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal objects of my invention, and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the emupright portions 53 adapted to' be fitted into the annular recess provided in the trim ring, as best illustrated in Figure 1.

'I'he novel pressure cooker herein disclosed has been found extremely practical and'efilcient in operation. Its construction is such that it may be manufactured in quantity production at small cost from relatively thin sheet metal which is so shaped and fashioned as to provide a very rugged structure. The trim ring I3, as hereinbefore stated, in addition to providing a supporting means for the handles I1 of the cooker body, provides a protection for the lugs I2 of the cooker body, as it extends outwardly beyond the outer .ends of the lugs, asbest shown in Figure 7. Thus,

, should the cooker body be dropped on its side,

there is little danger of the lugs I2 becoming damaged as a result of the trim ring I3.

The cover 3 is also strengthened by the unique formation of the wall portions 22 and 23, as will readily be understood lby reference to Figures 2 and 3. The cylindrical wall portion 23 of the cover is preferably of the same diameter as the diameter of the trim ring I3, whereby when the cover is iltted on the cooker body, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the structure presents a very neat design which has the appearance oi ruggedneSS and stability.

To facilitate placing the cover on the cooker body or removing it therefrom, suitable indication marks are preferably provided, as shown in Figure 1. As here shown, a suitable arrow 54 may be provided on the periphery of the wall portion 23 of the cover, adapted to register with two indication marks, such as the words Closed and Open, provided on the periphery of the trim ring I3, as shown in Figure 1. When the arrow is in a position over the word Closed as shown in Figure l, the lugs 24 of the cover will be interlocked with the cooker body lugs I2, whereby the cover is secured to the cooker body. When it is desired to release the cover from the cooker body, the operator grasps the cover handles 39 and rotates the cover in a counterclockwise direction until the arrow registers with the word Open,

bodiments herein described may be variously changed and modined, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim as my invention:

1. A pressure cooker comprising a body having its upper marginal edge formed' with an out wardly turned flange to'provide an annular seat, said flange extending outwardly beyond said seat and thence downwardly, a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial lugs on the lower edge of said flange, whereby said lugs are disposed at an elevation |below said seat, an annular member secured to the'upper portion of the cooker body and extending beyond said lugs to protect them against damage, a cover for the cooker body,

means on the cover providing a radially inwardly facing annular channel, a flat gasket having its outer marginal edge portion supported in said channel, the width of said gasket being relatively greater than the radial depth of the channel whereby the inner unsupported edge portion of the gasket may flex when engaged with said seat upon placing thecover on the cooker body, and a plurality of inwardly directed lugs on the cover adapted for interlocking engagement with the lugs on the cooker body, thereby to secure the cover to the cooker body in leak-proof relation.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a container body having its upper marginal edge portion formed with an outwardly and downwardly turned flange, the upper portion of said flange providing an annular seat, a cover for the Acontainer comprising top and side walls, means on the container body and cover adapted for interlocking engagement to secure the cover to the container body, a radially inwardly facing annular channel member fitted into and secured to the cover, an annular nat gasket supported in the channel member. the cross sectional width of the gasket being relatively greater than the radial depth of said channel member whereby the inner edge portion of the gasket projects from the channel and may ilex` when engaged with said seatl upon placing the cover on the container body, an annular reinforcing memlber secured to the container body below the downwardly turned flange of the cover in slightly spaced relation thereto when the cover is secured to the container body, and carrying handles secured to the under side of said reinforcing member independently of the container body, said handles having concave faces iltting against the periphery of the container body.

'i 3. In an apparatus of the class described', a

'e container formed of sheet metal and having its horizontal plane, a ilat gasket having its outer marginal edge portion supported in saidchannel,

the width of said gasket cross sectionally 'beingl relatively greater than the radial depth of the channel whereby the inner edge portion o1' the\` gasket projects from the channel in a position to engage said seat when the cover is placed on the container, the gasket beingvso related to the seat that when the cover is secured tothe congasket is flexed upwardly, and a plurality of inwardly directed lugs on the cover adapted for `interlocking engagement with lugs' on the con'- tainer, thereby to secure the cover'to the container in leak-prooi' relation.

4. InA an apparatus of the class described, a

container having its vupper marginal edge portion' -i'ormed with van outwardly turned flange to provide an annular. seat, a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs on the periphery of said ilange, a sheet metal cover for the containercomprising top and side walls, an inner sheet metal member 'fitted into the cover and secured thereto, the wall of K saidY inner member being relatively thinner than the wall of the cover and formed to simulate substantially the shape of the cover, said inner cover member having its marginal edge portion p bent outwardly, downwardly. and inwardly Ato tainer the 'inner marginal edge portion of the provide a radially inwardly facing channel disposed in a horizontal plane, an annular flat gasket having its outer marginal edge portion fitting in said channel, the width of the gasket, cross sectionally, being relatively greater than the ra- 4dial depth of the` channel whereby the inner edge portion of the Ygasket is unsupported and may ilex when engagedv with said seat upon-securing the cover to the container, and a plurality of inwardly directed spaced lugs on the lowermost portion of the .cover adapted for interlocking engagement with the lugs on the container, thereby to secure the cover to the container in leaktight relation.

5. In an apparatus o1' the class described, a container formed oi' sheet metal and having its upper marginal edge portion formed with an outwardly turned ange providing an annular seat,

said' flange extending outwardly beyond said anvnular. seat' and bent downwardly to provide a cylindrical wall portion, a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radial lugs on the lower edgeof said cylindrical wall portion, a sheet metal cover for the container comprising top and side walls, a sealing gasket secured to the cover and adapted to engage said seat when the cover is placed on the container, means on the container and 'cover adapted for interlockingengagement to secure the cover to the container in leaktight relation, vand an annulus oi' Z-shaped cross section iltted vto the exterior of the container body adjacent tothe open top thereof and permanently secured thereto with its horizontal wall spaced downwardly from the outwardly directed lugs on the container body, said annulus reinforcingthe Vupper portion of` the container and having'a cylindrical wall extended radially outwardly beyond the outer terminals of the container body'dugs,

thereby to provide a protection for said lugs, 1

should the container be placed upon its side. EDWARD H. WI'I'IENBERG. 

